Operator News
Japan – Chiba, the home of Tokyo’s Disneyland, joins push for casinos
By Phil - 1 June 2018
Support from local business leaders and the community has pushed Chiba, the Japanese prefecture that is home to Tokyo’s Disneyland, into the reckoning for an Integrated Resort casino.
Chiba, which also boats Japan’s largest airport Narita, is already a hotbed for conventions and exhibitions.
The leaders of several local companies have formed a coalition to promote the concept of a casino in Chiba. Their goal is to bring a 534,000 sq. m. floating casino accessible to luxury cruise ships to the region’s shores.
Ikuo Kantake, President of the coalition, pitched the project at $587m saying it would take two years to construct.
The coalition says that strong resident support has given it a huge advantage over other more high-profile destinations such as Osaka, Hokkaido and Nagasaki.
In 2013 Chiba’s city assembly passed a resolution promoting integrated resorts in the area, however the mayor hasn’t spoken publically about bringing casinos to the region. It is believed to have adopted a neutral standpoint.
